Tennis the Menace

Today we ended our year of tennis lessons with one final class.  Mrs. Faye has been helpful, and the growth we've seen in Madison's ability has been huge.  Today we worked on the backhand some more, then forehand, and then "the spike."  The class has been great for Madison, something very enjoyable and yet at the same time so beneficial.  Of course her skills are growing - but additionally, there's quite a bit of running around going on as well.  The class is a small size, about five children or six, each getting a turn to try a return, or sometimes a serve, and sometimes a bit of a volley.  Today Madison had a decent volley - these have been getting longer and longer as the year goes on.  We'll keep going down to the court during the summer months, of course.  Plus, we'll see Mrs. Faye later on at a tennis camp - this will be at an actual court though.  There are tennis courts at a nearby high school, where Madison will be visiting for a week.

However our tennis courts are really nice.  And we've got everything we need - lots of tennis balls, the racket, and an entire summer filled with nights to fill.  Will we swim?  How about tennis?  The weather cools down at night hopefully enough to go out and enjoy the courts and the pool.

Today was Madison's last Wednesday of 1st grade.  It's been a pirate-themed week, one where the class actually followed a treasure map around the back of the school.  I'm guessing that our teacher had a lot of wrapping up to do, so the theme of the week is that everyone is "stuck on a pirate ship."  The end result is a ship of pirates, ready to mutiny by week's end.  Arrr!

Tonight Daddy had a service to attend, host, and have fun with the kids.  It was a simple service tonight, as we're spending quite a bit of time in planning our upcoming Summer Xtreme.  To that extent, Daddy is exhausted already.  And stressed about certain things - but trying not to worry too much.  The day after Summer Xtreme will be a glorious one, as always:  regardless of the outcome, we will no longer carry that heavy burden.

Madison, ironically, will be a pirate that week.  Yes, that's her tribe - the tribe of the pirates.  First grade are pirates this year, where she was a Viking last week with the other kindergartners.  So the piracy them keeps on rolling, doesn't it?

Speaking of which, we only have five episodes of "Monk" left to watch.  That's escapism there!  For about forty minutes, Daddy gets to think about something else, other than Summer Xtreme.  We pray that all the work and stress pay off for the children.  Our stake in it is bigger this year than it has ever been, as Madison is right there in first grade, anxious to see and do all there is planned for that week.  May it be unforgettable - in the best possible way!